Recyclable and dispensable cutlery utensil

ABSTRACT

A recyclable and dispensable hygienic cutlery utensil comprises a handle portion and head portion. The handle portion provides suitable area for gripping and includes a chamfer on its proximal end that creates handle gaps between adjacent proximal handle ends in a vertical stack, thereby facilitating a predictable release from a utensil dispenser. The handle further includes nesting features that nest with adjacent cutlery articles in a stack, and planar surfaces that are in mutual contact with the adjacent cutlery articles in the stack. The head portion is formed into the shape of a common cutlery utensil such as: knife with large radius, tapered knife with large radius, spoon, set of tines (fork), and spoon-fork combination, to name a few. Typically, in use, a set of identical utensils is stacked and then inserted into an automated dispensing system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/161,767, filed on Jun. 16, 2011. application Ser. No. 13/161,767 is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/831,396, filed Jul. 7,2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 61/566,815, filed Dec. 5, 2011, All of these patents and applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cutlery and, more particularly, to recyclable utensils dispensed by a no-touch utensil dispenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A convergence of factors, such as reduced antibiotic effectiveness coupled with an increasingly fast food directed environment, have combined to create a need for new cutlery utensils. The utensils should be recyclable, dispensable and hygienic. The utensils should also be compatible with point-of-sale single unit dispensing equipment. There are numerous advantages to using disposable plastic cutlery instead of metal cutlery. In addition to lower cost and convenience, plastic cutlery does not require cleaning. Clean-up associated with metal cutlery includes labor costs, materials costs, and equipment costs. Cleaning equipment may not be feasible for some smaller eating establishments or outdoor catering.

Disposable cutlery such plastic spoons, forks, knives, and spoon-fork combination are normally used in casual restaurant, cafeteria, or at catered event settings and are provided by the eating establishment for use in the restaurant and with take-out food. To ensure that this cutlery is provided in a hygienic form, a purveyor often purchases bulk quantities of individual portions of cutlery each pre-sealed in a small bag. The bag may also contain a napkin, dry condiments, and a hand sanitizer wipe. Such bags are generally more expensive than the sum of individual utensils due to the processing and materials necessary to form the bags. Also, these bags may provide more items than the user requires, which is uneconomical.

An option to such prepackaged bags is the presentation of cutlery in a tray or cup positioned near the point of sale. This approach allows the customer to select only the utensils desired. However, this form of supply can be unsanitary and unhygienic if a customer does not take a utensil that is purposely touched or inadvertently brushed against while rummaging through the proffered selection to find the perfect spoon for soup, for example. Airborne pathogens may settle on exposed surfaces of the remaining cutlery. The unregulated dispensing of the cutlery also permits the customer to take more utensils than needed, thus resulting in a lower profit margin for the establishment.

Automated and semi-automated no-touch dispensing of disposable cutlery is the ultimate solution to minimizing cutlery utensil contamination.

What is needed, therefore, is a disposable utensil that is configured for dispensing from a no-touch cutlery dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided recyclable and dispensable hygienic cutlery utensil for use with a no-touch utensil dispenser such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/831,396, filed Jul. 7, 2010. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a handle portion and head portion. The handle portion provides suitable area for gripping and includes a chamfer on its outer edge for facilitating a predictable release from a utensil dispenser. The head portion is formed into the shape of a common cutlery utensil such as: knife with large radius, tapered knife with large radius, spoon, set of tines (fork), and spoon-fork combination, to name a few. The head portion also includes an escapement feature in its outer edge for facilitating controlled release from the bottom of a stack of utensils. The escapement feature can include a notch or predetermined release radius. Typically in use, a set of utensils is stacked, forming a cartridge which is then inserted into an automated dispensing system.

It would be advantageous to provide a recyclable, hygienic, and dispensable cutlery utensil.

It would also be advantageous to provide a utensil optimized for stacking and 5 dispensing seriatim.

It would also be advantageous to provide utensils that are not touched by human hands from manufacture to dispensing to a user. It would further be advantageous to provide a utensil designed for a predictable and controlled release from the bottom of a stack of like utensils.

The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side and bottom view of a dispensable knife with a tapered blade in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side and bottom view of a dispensable knife with a non-tapered blade in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side and bottom view of a dispensable knife with a non-tapered 5 blade and partially hollow handle in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side and bottom view of a dispensable knife with a tapered blade and partially hollow handle in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side and bottom view of a dispensable knife with a tapered blade, partially hollow handle, and predetermined escape release radius in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side and bottom view of a dispensable knife with a non-tapered blade, partially hollow handle, and escapement notch in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a top and side view of a dispensable spoon with a predetermined escape release radius in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a top and side view of a dispensable fork with a predetermined escape release radius in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9A is a side view of an escapement area of a utensil dispenser prior to the bottommost dispensable utensil is released;

FIG. 9B is a side view of an escapement area of a utensil dispenser after the 5 bottommost dispensable utensil is released;

FIG. 10 is a top section and side view of an escapement area of a utensil dispenser.

FIG. 11 is a top view of an escapement area of a utensil dispenser with features to enhance utensil rotation; and

FIG. 12 is an end view of stacked dispensable utensils in accordance with the invention.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components bear the same designations and numbering throughout the FIGURES.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is a series of utensils that is often deployed in a stack dispensable from a no-touch utensil dispenser 34.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a side and bottom view of a dispensable utensil 20 with a knife head 24. Utensil 20 may be fabricated from any material(s), but plastic is preferred. The knife head 24 has a tapered blade 58 with large radius 32 and an escapement notch 28 for facilitating release from the bottom of a stack in a utensil dispenser 34 (shown in FIG. 10). Typically, a knife head 24 radius is approximately ½ the total length of the utensil 20 (or less) and slightly extends the width of the utensil (up to twice its width).

The handle 22 portion includes a chamfer 26 also facilitating predictable release from a utensil dispenser 34. The handle 22 has a hollowed portion 36.

Now referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a side and bottom view of another embodiment of dispensable utensil 20 with a knife head 24. The knife head 24 of this embodiment has a non-tapered blade 60 with large radius 32 and an escapement notch 28 for facilitating release from the bottom of a stack in a utensil dispenser 34 (shown in FIG. 10). The handle 22 portion includes a chamfer 26 also facilitating predictable release from a utensil dispenser 34.

Now referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a side and bottom view of yet another embodiment of a dispensable utensil 20 with knife head 24. The knife head 24 has a non-tapered blade 60 with large radius 32 and a predetermined escape release radius 30 for facilitating release from the bottom of a stack in a utensil dispenser 34 (shown in FIG. 10). The handle 22 portion includes a chamfer 26 also facilitating predictable release from a utensil dispenser 34. The handle 22 has a hollowed portion 36.

Now referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a side and bottom view of yet another embodiment of a dispensable utensil 20 with knife head 24. The knife head 24 has a tapered blade 58 with large radius 32. The handle 22 portion includes a chamfer 26 for facilitating predictable release from a utensil dispenser 34 (shown in FIG. 10). The handle 22 has a hollowed portion 36.

Now referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a side and bottom view of yet another embodiment of a dispensable utensil 20 with knife head 24. The knife head 24 has a tapered blade 58 with large radius 32 and a predetermined escape release radius 30 for facilitating release from the bottom of a stack in a utensil dispenser 34 (shown in FIG. 10). The handle 22 portion includes a chamfer 26 also facilitating predictable release from a utensil dispenser 34. The handle 22 has a hollowed portion 36.

Now referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a side and bottom view of yet another embodiment of a dispensable utensil 20 with knife head 24. The knife head 24 has a non-tapered blade 60 with large radius 32 and an escapement notch 28 for facilitating release from the bottom of a stack in a utensil dispenser 34 (shown in FIG. 10). The handle 22 portion includes a chamfer 26 also facilitating predictable release from a utensil dispenser 34. The handle 22 has a hollowed portion 36.

Now referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a top and side view of yet another embodiment of a dispensable utensil 20 with spoon head 24. The spoon head 24 has a predetermined escape release radius 30 for facilitating release from the bottom of a stack in a utensil dispenser 34 (not shown). The handle 22 portion includes a chamfer 26 also facilitating predictable release from a utensil dispenser 34 (shown in FIG. 10).

Now referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a top and side view of yet another embodiment of a dispensable utensil 20 with set of tines (fork) head 24. The fork head 24 has a predetermined escape release radius 30 for facilitating release from the bottom of a stack in a utensil dispenser 34 (not shown). The handle 22 portion includes a chamfer 26 also facilitating predictable release from a utensil dispenser 34 (shown in FIG. 10). Head 24 can be combined with spoon head 24 (FIG. 8) to result in a spoon-fork head or spork®, not shown.

Now referring to FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, there is shown a side view of an escapement area of a utensil dispenser 34 prior to releasing the bottommost dispensable utensil 20 and after releasing the bottommost dispensable utensil 20 respectively. The escapement notch 28 on utensil head 24 end is needed to release the bottommost utensil 20 from the utensil stack 38 after the handle 22 end of the utensil 20 is released. The escapement notch 28 is necessary because the frictional forces 40 from the weight of utensil stack 38 pinches this end against the distil end 42 of the escapement back locator bar 44 and will not allow a clean escape. When the handle 22 end is released, the moment loading due to center of gravity of the utensil 20 weight counteracts frictional forces 40 of the utensil 20 and rotates it enough that the notch bottom 67 pushes the utensil 20 away from the vertical surface 46, releasing it vertically downward. The handle chamfer 26 is needed to allow the top escapement finger 62 to smoothly engage the bottom of the utensil handle 22 of the stack to hold them while releasing the lowermost utensil 20. In operation, two escapement fingers of the utensil dispenser 34 are utilized to control the release of the bottommost utensil 20 while retaining remaining utensils. As the consumer activates release of a utensil 20 by pulling a handle (not shown) of the utensil dispenser 34, the bottom escapement finger 64 retracts to release the bottommost utensil 20 while the top escapement finger 62 extends to catch the remaining utensils. After releasing the utensil 20, the utensil dispenser handle is returned to its quiescent position. As the utensil dispenser handle returns to its quiescent position, the bottom escapement finger 64 extends to catch the remaining utensils while the top escapement finger 62 retracts allowing remaining 15 utensils to drop into place onto the bottom escapement finger 64.

Now referring to FIG. 10, there is shown a top and side view of the utensil dispenser 34 rear escapement mechanism 52. The escapement finger 50 is actuated as the utensil 68 is pulled out of the dispenser by a consumer. The rear escapement mechanism 52 is attached to the escapement finger and moves with it to push 56 the utensil 20 off the edge of the rear escapement ledge 54.

Now referring to FIG. 11, there is shown a top view of a utensil dispenser escapement area with features to enhance rotation of knife utensils 20. The knife utensil 20 lays on a distal end rear escapement ledge 54 where a partly removed portion 66 enhances rotational movement when the knife end releases from the distal end.

Now referring to FIG. 12, there is shown an end view of multiple utensils 20 stacked. The utensils upper and lower surfaces are shaped to allow stable stacking.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Each and every page of this submission, and all contents thereon, however characterized, identified, or numbered, is considered a substantive part of this application for all purposes, irrespective of form or placement within the application. This specification is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure.

Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, the scope of the invention is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications. The disclosure presented herein does not explicitly disclose all possible combinations of features that fall within the scope of the invention. The features disclosed herein for the various embodiments can generally be interchanged and combined into any combinations that are not self-contradictory without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the limitations presented in dependent claims below can be combined with their corresponding independent claims in any number and in any order without departing from the scope of this disclosure, unless the dependent claims are logically incompatible with each other. 

I claim:
 1. A disposable plastic cutlery article compatible for dispensing from a vertical stack of identical cutlery articles by a no-touch utensil dispenser, the plastic cutlery article comprising: a handle extending from a proximal handle end to a distal handle end along a horizontal, longitudinal cutlery axis, the handle comprising a planar upper surface parallel to a planar lower surface, the upper and lower planar surfaces being separated by a handle thickness, the upper planar surface extending to the proximal end of the handle; a head extending from the distal handle end substantially along said longitudinal axis, the head being configured for contacting and manipulating food; overlapping upper and lower stacking regions formed respectively in the upper and lower planar surfaces of the handle, the upper stacking region extending vertically upward and outward from the upper planar surface and the lower stacking region extending vertically upward and inward from the lower planar surface, or vice versa; a planar chamfered surface extending upward and inward from the lower planar surface to the proximal end of the handle, the chamfered surface being substantially rectangular and having a chamfer width that is perpendicular to the longitudinal cutlery axis and a chamfer length that is oblique to the longitudinal cutlery axis, said chamfer length being greater than the handle thickness; said plastic cutlery article being configured such that when it is included in the vertical stack of identical plastic cutlery articles: the upper stacking region is nested with the lower stacking region of a next higher cutlery article; the lower stacking region is nested with the upper stacking region of a next lower cutlery article; substantially the entire lower planar surface is in direct physical contact with the upper planar surface of the next lower cutlery article; and a handle gap is formed between the proximal end of the handle and the proximal end of the next lower cutlery article due to the chamfered surface.
 2. The plastic cutlery article of claim 1, wherein the plastic cutlery article is one of a spoon, a fork, a knife, and a spork.
 3. The plastic cutlery article of claim 1, wherein the head is wider than the handle.
 4. The plastic cutlery article of claim 1, wherein said handle is at least partially hollow. 